Western Nevada College’s Nursing Program is thrilled by the addition of three faculty members for the current 2024-25 school year.

Alyshia Fairbanks, a graduate of WNC’s Nursing Program and a seasoned healthcare professional; Erika Holiday, a doctorate degree recipient from Johns Hopkins University; and Amber Price, well-schooled in nursing and emergency medical services, brought their vast skills and knowledge to share with WNC students starting with the recently completed fall semester.

"We are excited to have enlisted such qualified new faculty,” said WNC Director of Nursing Dr. Audrey Auer. “Amber, who has worked in many healthcare disciplines; Alyshia, who is also a WNC alumni; and Erika, who has earned her doctorate at an esteemed university are excellent additions to our faculty team."

The nursing faculty positions were partially funded through the 2023 Legislative session.

Alyshia Fairbanks

"With the expected growth of our nursing program in the coming years, the additional faculty members couldn't come at a better time,” WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe said.

Fairbanks is a long-time resident of the rural community, attending the WNC nursing program in Fallon and now is the full-time Fallon nursing instructor. Fairbanks started her nursing career as a surgical-orthopedic nurse at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, then transferred into the emergency department before becoming a per-diem clinic nurse with Banner Health. Prior to becoming a RN, Fairbanks was a medical assistant for 13 years and an endoscopy tech for two years.

She obtained her BSN through Nevada State University and is nearing completion of her Master’s degree in Nursing Education through Western Governors University. Fairbanks’ goal as an Academic Nurse Educator for the Fallon campus is to bridge the gap between the WNC campuses and serve a resource for the pre-nursing and nursing students.

Holiday holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Doctorate degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md. After two years of part-time work at WNC, she is excited to embark on a new journey as a full-time Nursing faculty member.

A passion for education inspires Holiday to help mentor students and make a positive impact as a nurse educator and clinical coordinator. Outside of academia, Holliday enjoys painting and engaging in various craft projects, finding inspiration and joy in creativity.

 

Erika Holiday

Price is a mother of six and grandmother to one! She has more than 24 years of experience in the medical field — all of which started at WNC. She began as a Certified Nursing Assistant, then became an Emergency Medical Technician (through WNC again) for Search and Rescue and then continued her devotion to helping others by dedicating herself to WNC’s Nursing Program.

She has served as an RN at Carson Tahoe Hospital, where she worked her way up to the Charge Nurse of Surgical Orthopedics and then the relief House Supervisor. The WNC alumnus is now helping Western nursing students learn and grow as the new clinical instructor and Readiness and Retention coordinator.

The Nursing and Allied Health Division at WNC offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) in Nursing. The mission of the division is to prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and/or to provide them with the knowledge they need for their careers.

To learn more about the program, visit wnc.edu/nursing. For more information about becoming a nursing student at WNC, phone 775-445-4425.

 

 

Amber Price